Auxiliary engine control device



Oct. 13, 1959 2,908,827

H. H. HICKMAN AUXILIARY ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE Filed June 14, 1957 INVENTOR. HERBERT H. HICKMAN BUCKHORN, CHEATHAM 8 BLORE ATTO/UVEK? United States Patent O 2,908,827 vAUXILIARY ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE Herbert H. Hickman, Oregon City, Oreg. Application June 14, 1957, serial N0. 665,734 6 Claims. (cx. 307-10) This invention relates to and has for its object the provision of an auxiliary device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine, and partlcularly lto a v portable device which may be connected in the engine circuit to Vby-,pass the dashboard switches and permit an automobile mechanic to start and stop or otherwise control the operation of the engine while standing beside or working on the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide such 'a' device in'which the control unit of the device is of a size and shape to be held in one hand and operated thereby without the assistance ofv the other hand.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide such a `device equipped with a lamp to indicate when the ignition circuit isv energized.

A 'further object of theY invention is to provide such a device which may be connected to the ignition and starter circuits in a manner permitting the starting motor to be energized to turn the engine over with or without the ignition circuit on.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a device0f the type under consideration having a control unit which may be operated in a manner to maintain the starter circuit energized without requiring continued depression of a switchbutton, so that both hands of the operator are free for working on the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the-character under consideration which may be used as4 a=test lamp to test for broken circuits for a Wide variety of purposes. A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which may be connected in the electrical circuit of the automobile to enable brief energization of `specialized circuits, such as the horn circuit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character under consideration which may be used for a wide variety of purposes in testing and checking the electrical circuit of an automobile and also 'I may be used as a flashlight when desired.

Various other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:Y

Fig. l is a vsomewhat diagrammatic View showing a device of the invention in the environment in which it will-normally be employed: r

Fig; 2 is an enlarged View of the control device showing the control unit in longitudinal section; i

Fig. 3, is a view of part ofan engine circuit showing in 'schematic form the deviceof .the present invention connected in vthe circuit.. l v f Referring to. Fig. 1,'the `automobile mechanic M is shown at'the front end of a truck which has the hood H raisedntov -facilitate work on the engine. The automobile mechanic vM is shown in the processof testing the engine ,withthe aid of-a device of the present invention. In one hand, the mechanic holds thecontrolunit `11 of such device, ,the; devce'ineluding a leadassembly 13 extending from the control unit to the electrical circuits of the engine.

Referring to Fig. 2, the unit 11 includes a tubular housing 15 closed at its opposite ends by elastomer inserts 17 and 19. The lead assembly 13 includes three leads 21, 23 and 25 which extend through a central hole in the insert 19. The free or exposed ends of the leads are provided with clips 27 partially surrounded by exible shields 31 which are of different colors for purposes of identification of the leads. The left-hand or opposite ends of the leads 21, 23 and 25 are connected to switch means, generally indicated by the reference numeral 29, in a manner to be explainedA presently.

The switch means 29 includes a case of rectangular cross section comprising a channel-shaped piece 37 and a strip of insulation 38 which is secured between the free margins of the channel-shaped piece by screws 39. The channel-shaped piece is fastened by screws 40 to the housing 15. The strip of insulation is provided with three spaced fixed contacts 41, 43 and 45 having depending terminal lugs 47. The inner ends of the leads 21, 23 and 25 are connected to the terminal lugs of the fixed contacts 41, 43 and 45, respectively.

The switch means 29 has a movable switch member including a movable Contact 51 having a leading portion 53 fitting in a notch 55 formed in the insulating strip 38 and a trailing portion 57 which slidably engages the fixed contact 45. The movable contact 51 is in the form of a spring leaf and thus the leading and trailing portions of the movable contact yieldingly press against the strip 38 and the contact 45, respectively.

The movable contact 51 is connected by a screw 59 or other suitable metallic securing means to a button 61, of inverted T-shape. The button has a finger engaging portion 62 projecting through registering'slots 63 and 65 formed in back of the channel-shaped piece 37 and in the tubular housing 15, respectively. The button also includes a base portion 67 which, in the position shown, will not pass through the slots 63 and 65 and which is yieldingly pressed by the movable contact 51 against the underside of the back of the channel piece 37, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

A lamp 71 is connected between the terminals 47 of the fixed contacts 41 and 43. The lamp is positioned next to a lens 75 which fits within a suitable groove formed in the elastomer insert 17. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the insert 17 has a radical fiange 77 which projects outwardly beyond the confines of the tubular housing 15, and the insert 19 has a similar ange 79 so that the control unit may be placed on a metal surface without danger of scratching the same.

Fig. 3 illustrates the control unit connected in one desired way into the electrical circuit of an automobile. The particular circuit shown is intended to illustrate one conventional form of ignition and starter circuit and is not intended to limit the invention. As shown, the circuit includes a battery 81 having its negative side grounded and its positive side connected by a conductor 83 to a double pole single throw switch 85, which is conventionally located on the dashboard of the vehicle and is of the key-operated type. One pole of the switch is connected by a conductor 87 to one terminal of the operating coil 89 of a solenoid switch in the starter circuit, the other terminal of the coil being connected to ground at 91. The movable element 93 of the solenoid Vswitch will engage spaced contacts 95 and 97 when the the distributor head 109. e ignition coil primary is conventionally connected by a conductor 111 to one side of the breaker points 113 of the distributor. A conductor 115 connects a condenser 117 in parallel with the oints. p Als shown in Fig. 3, the lead 25 has its clip connected to conductor 83 at any suitable place, such a-s a terminal box or the like. For convenience, the clip is shown attached directly to the conductor. The clip of the lead 23 is shown attached to the conductor 87 and the clip of the lead 21 is shown .attached to the conductor 103.

In use, with the engine may be turned over with the switch in the Fig. 2 off position by simply depressing the switch button 61 to bring the screw 59 into engagement with the fixed contact 43. This will serve toenergize the solenoid coil 89` to complete the circuit through the contacts 95and 97 and thus cause the starter motor 101 to turn over the engine. Itis apparent by comparing the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 positions of the button 61 and of the movable contact 51,

that the trailing end of the movable contact 57 never 1 leaves the fixed contact 45 and the head of screw 59 is always disposed in a position above fixed contact 43.

It is normally desired not only to have the engine 4turn over, but also to start. To accomplish this the switch button 61 is shoved to the left to the Fig. 3 on position. This servesl to energize the lamp 71 and also the ignition system. Thuis, when the button 61 is subsequently depressed to bring the screwhead of screw 59 into engagement with fixed contact 43, the engine will be turned over with the ignition system energized to f start the engine.

When the switch button 61 is depressed in the Fig. 2 position of the button, the ignition circuit will be connected to the fixed contact 43 through the lamp 71. How,-

this arrangement the horn may be conveniently tuned the control unit connected as shown,

ever, the resistance of the lampi is of a magnitude to prevent the development of an operative voltage drop across theA ignition circuit. Thus the engine will not fireV until the button is moved to its Fig. 3 position, in which position the battery is connected directly to the ignition circuit through the fixed contact 41. Furthermore,when

the button is moved to its Fig. 3 position, without being depressed, the starter circuit is connected to the battery through the lamp 71. However, the lamp' resistance Will prevent the operation of the solenoid 89 until the button is depressed to by-pass the lamp circuit.

While the above-described use of the invention is the principal use,` the device has many other uses. For instance, not infrequently the automobile mechanic would like both hands free and would like to have the engine turning over without the ignition on. To do this, he will attach the clip of the lead 21 to the conductor 87 and the clip of the lead 25 to the conductor 8 3 and then shove the button Y61 from the left to right to `dispose the leading portionl of the movable contact 51 in engagement with the fixed contact 41. This will energize the starting motor, and the mechanic may ,simply place the control unit on any convenient portion of the vehicle leaving both hands free for work on the engine.

or otherwise adjusted without long blasts from the horn.

Obviously, the device may also be used as a flashlight and for all types of tests to test heater indicators, gas gauges and the like. Also, the device may be used to test the generators of various cars by either supplying current to the field of the generator, in which case either of the leads 21 and 23'may Vbe employed, or to ground the field in which case either `of suchleads maybe employed.

Having described the invention in what is vconsidered to be the preferred embodiment thereof, it is desired that it be understood that the invention is not to be limited other than'byV the'provisions of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A portable, hand supported and operated, remote control devicefor controlling the operationof Vthe internal combustion engine of la vehicle, comprising. a housing having a portion of a size to be heldin the vhand, at least three flexible leads extending from said housing and having connecting means on the free ends thereof facilitating detachable connectionof said leads to parts of said engine circuit, .said leads being of a length sufficient to enable a mechanic to position himself at the side of a vehicle next tov the engine with Isaid flexible leads Vconnected to the engine circuits, one lead being connected to the vehicle battery, a second lead being connectedin the starter circuit of the engine between the dashboard switch and the starter solenoid, and a third lead being connected in the ignition circuit between the dashboard ignition switch and the ignition circuit transformer, and switch means carried by said housing having a single exposed operating button'movable in two ,different directions underthe control of the thumbor a finger of the hand holding the housing without .changing the grip on the housing, Va fixed contact in said-housing for each lead, said button carrying a contactorhaving a part in constant engagement with thefixed contact of said one lead, said contactor being engageable with the fixed contact ofsaid second lead when moved in one direction whilevremaining in engagement with therlixed contact of said one lead to turn the engine over without 4starting the engine, said contactor being engageable with enable said engine to be started.

a test lamp to determine the lloc-ation of a broken circuit. To do this, the clips of the leads 21 and 23 areY connected across the doubtful circuit, and assuming that a source of energy is supplied to the circuit, the lamp bulb '71 will be lighted if the circuit is unbroken, or will remain deenergized if the circuit is broken. I Not infrequently, it is desired to test certain electrical'cornponents with only short periods of energiza# tion. This is desirable in the caseof testing a horn. To make this test, the clip of the lead 25 is connected to the battery. as shown, and the clip of the lead v23 is connected to the horn. The switch button 61 may be depressed to briefly energize the horn as desired. With 2. device as set forth in4 claim l Ain which there are means for automatically returning said `contactor to 4a nonengaging position withrespect to the fixed contact of said second lead whenever pressure on said `button Which has moved said contactor in said one direction is released thereby permitting intermittent turning over of lsaid engine without starting the same by intermittently applying pressure to said button in said one direction.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which there are means for releasably holding said button in its position with the contactor simultaneously engaging the fixed contactsfof the first and'third leadsso that the engine will continue to run without pressure on the button permitting the operator to lay the housing down on a part of the vehicle and use' both hands in operating on Vthe running engine.

- 4. A portable, hand supported and operated, remote control device for controlling the operation of the internal the engine circuits, one lead being connected to the vehicle battery, a second lead being connected in the starter circuit of the engine between the dashboard switch and the starter solenoid, and a third lead being connected in the ignition circuit between the dashboard ignition switch and the ignition circuit transformer, and switch means in said housing having a single operating button that is exposed through the wall of said housing for engagement by the thumb or a finger of the hand holding the housing to leave the other hand free for work on said engine, means mounting the button for movement longitudinally of the housing from a first to a'second position and also mounting the button for depressing movement generally radially of said housing, a xed contact for each lead associated with said button, said button carrying a contactor having a part in engagement with the lixed contact of said one lead in both the rst and second positions of said button, said contactor having a part engageable with the fixed contact of said second lead when said button is depressed in both positions of said button, said contacter having a part engageable with the xed contact of said third lead only in the second position of said button.

5. A portable, hand supported and operated, remote control device for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine of a Vehicle, comprising a housing having a portion of a size to be held in the hand, at least three ilexible leads extending from said housing and having connecting means on the free ends thereof facilitating detachable connection of said leads to parts of the engine circuit, said leads being of a length sufiicient to` enable a mechanic to position himself at the side of a vehicle next to the engine with said exible leads connected to the engine circuits, one lead being connected to the vehicle battery, a second lead being connected in the starter circuit of the engine between the dashboard switch and the starter solenoid, and a third lead being connected in the ignition circuit between the dashboard ignition switch and the ignition circuit transformer, and switch means in sad housing having a single operating button that is exposed through the wall of said housing for engagement by the thumb or a finger of the hand holding the housing to leave the other hand free for work on said engine, means mounting the button for movement longitudinally of the housing from a first to a second position and also mounting the button for depressing movement generally radially of said housing, said switch means including parts making contact between said one lead and said second lead in the depressed condition of said button and between said one lead and said third lead in the second position of said button so that said engine may be turned over without starting the engine or may be started, as suits the dires of the operator.

6. A portable, hand supported and operated, remote control device for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising a housing having a portion of a size to be held in the hand, at least three ilexible conductors extending from said housing and having connecting means on the free ends thereof facilitating detachable connection of said conductors to parts of the engine circuit, said conductors being separate from one another at the location of said connecting means and at least a substantial distance therefrom to facilitate connection of said connecting means to separate parts of the engine circuit, said conductors being of a length sufcient to enable a mechanic to position himself at the side of a vehicle next to the engine with said ilexible conductors connected to the engine circuit, one conductor being connected to the engine circuit in energy receiving relation to the Vehicle battery, a second conductor being connected in the starter circuit of the engine in spaced relat-ion to the dashboard switch and in a location to cause the starter motor to turn over when said second conductor is supplied with electrical energy, and a third conductor being connected in the ignition circuit in spaced relation to the dashboard ignition switch to supply electrical energy to the spark plugs of the engine when said third conductor is supplied with electrical energy, and switch means carried by said housing and having a single operating button that is exposed through the wall of said housing for engagement by the thumb or linger of the hand holding the housing to leave the other hand free for work on said engine, means mounting the button for movement longitudinally of the housing from a first to a second position and `also mounting the button for depressing movement generally radially of said housing, said switch means including parts making contact between said one conductor and said second conductor in the depressed condition of said button and between said one conductor and said third conductor in the second position of said button so that said engine may be turned over without starting the engine or may be started, as suits the desires of the operator.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,493,185 Criswell Jan. 3, 1950 2,520,071 Tennefos Aug. 22, 1950 2,544,955 Harrelson Mar. 13, 1951 2,778,891 Jacobi Jan. 22, 1957 

